The most senior British officer to be killed in Afghanistan has been laid to rest.

Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe MBE, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion Welsh Guards from Kirtlington, Oxford, died in an explosion on July 1 alongside 18-year-old Trooper Joshua Hammond.

They both perished when an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated under their Viking armoured vehicle.

Lt Col Thorneloe's funeral service at the Guards Chapel at London's Wellington Barracks, was attended by hundreds of mourners including the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Charles - who is said to have known him well - also had a private meeting with the soldier's family before the service.

Lt Col Thorneloe's family said they had been comforted by the tributes that poured in following the 39-year-old father-of-two's death.

His father, Major (retired) John Thorneloe said: "As the father of Rupert I would like, on behalf of Rupert's wife, Sally, Rupert's mother Veronica, our families and myself, to record our appreciation for the overwhelming support and tributes we have experienced since Rupert was tragically killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday, July 1."

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